Food choices at lunch during the third year of life: Increase in energy intake but decrease in variety

Abstract

Aim: Modelling the evolution between the ages of 2 and 3 y of the energy intake and the variety of free food choices at lunch time in relation to children's and context variables. Methods: One‐year follow‐up from 2 to 3 y old. In a nursery canteen, food choices at lunch were recorded by trained assistants who monitored portion size. Energy intake and food variety were estimated. Three hundred and ninety‐five children were studied, for 112 meals and over 10 mo on average. Mixed models of analysis of variance were used to take into account the longitudinal character of the data. Results: From 2 to 3 y, energy intake increased. Variety decreased during the first 7 mo and then remained constant. The individual variability in mean values and in evolution was high for both variables. Energy was positively linked to BMI at 2 y. Variety was slightly higher for girls and increased with duration of breastfeeding. Energy was higher in September to November than in December–January. Variety was maximal in December–January and in June–July. Conclusion: During the third year of life, while energy intake increases, the restriction of food variety appears to be a normal transition phase. Long duration of breastfeeding is associated with higher food variety.

The Role of Dietary Experience in the Development of Eating Behavior during the First Years of Life

“…The high reactivity toward odors, not tastes, was shown to be associated with a higher food neophobia at 24 months of age [49] , underlying the interrelationship between the infant's sensitivity to flavor compounds in foods and his/her eating behavior, in particular at an age when autonomy develops and children have acquired enough mobility to make their own food choices. It was indeed observed that between the ages of 2 and 3 years, when children are offered to the possibility of making their own food choices for lunch, the variety of their choices decreases, even if the offered foods are familiar [50] , suggesting that by this age, children have learned to recognize foods and make choice decisions according to their preferences.…”

Food plating preferences of children: the importance of presentation on desire for diversity

“…For example, if breastfeeding mothers consume a diet that regularly includes fruits and vegetables, their infants will be more interested to eat the same healthful foods (1) – in contrast with formula‐fed infants – and this effect appears to persist through weaning (2). Among toddlers, there is evidence that the peak years for ‘picky’ and ‘fussy’ eating start at age two (3,4) and continue through age six (5). Among older children and adults, the avoidance of new or unfamiliar foods (i.e.…”

Impact of energy density on liking for sweet beverages and caloric-adjustment conditioning in children

“…Moreover, because sweet beverage exposure took place before lunch, we assumed that children were in a hungry state when they consumed beverages; their stomachs were empty, which led to a rapid gastric emptying (40), a poor caloric detection, and a poor satiation signal. In another respect, the increase in energy intake over time could have been linked to increased needs in relation with the growth of children, to a seasonal effect as previously observed with younger children (41), or to other environmental factors not controlled for.…”